The Nevada Earthquake Safety Council (NESC) met from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on 19 February 1999 at the airport in Las Vegas.

Ron Lynn chaired the meeting.

Individuals attending the meeting are members of the Council:

Board Members not represented included:

Announcements

The next meeting of the Nevada Earthquake Safety will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, May 21, 1999, in Reno. Additional meetings for the remainder of the year include:
Friday, August 27, 1999, in Las Vegas
Friday, November 19, 1999, in Reno.

The UCLA Center for Public Health and Disaster Relief and the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services are hosting a Conference on Public Health and Disasters from April 11 through 14, 1999. Quoting from their brochure, "the health consequences of natural disasters cut across many substantive areas. This unique multidisciplinary conference will bring together academicians, researchers, practitioners, and policy makers from public health, mental health, community disaster preparedness, the social sciences, disaster response, the government, the media and non-governmental organizations. The program includes national and international subject experts, and will feature overviews of six major topics, each followed by related workshops that will give participants an opportunity to interact closely with both the keynote speakers and workshop panelists." For further information, contact Eva Klein Selski by telephone (310-794-6646) or e-mail (eselski@ucl.edu).

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Geoscience Committee

Burt Slemmons reported that the Committee's work on strong ground motion is nearly complete, with suggestions regarding the draft International Building Code 2000 having been forwarded to the proper authorities. Gary Norris's subcommittee on liquefaction is progressing with guidelines for evaluating liquefaction hazards in Nevada. Jim Werle distributed a draft of these guidelines. The subcommittee expects to have the guidelines reviewed by professionals and professional organizations, including the Great Basin and Southwestern Sections of the Association of Engineering Geologists, and to present the guidelines to the NESC at the August meeting.

Larry Johnson mentioned the usefulness of the geologic and derivative earthquake hazard maps produced by the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology (NBMG). Ron Lynn noted that there is a regulatory soils map used in Clark County.

The revised Suggested Guidelines for Fault Investigations will be posted on the NESC and NBMG Web sites.

ACTION ITEM: Jim Werle will send a digital copy of the fault guidelines to Terri Garside, who will see that they are posted on the Web.

ACTION ITEM: Chairman Lynn will prepare a certificate and letter of thanks to John Bell for his exemplary service as past chair of the Geoscience Committee.

Engineering and Architecture Committee

No report was available from the committee. Ron Lynn reported that the Nevada Organization of Building Officials is waiting for an economic analysis of cost impacts from possible code changes (submitted changes to the IBC 2000 relative to the IBC 2000, the 1997 UBC, and the 1994 UBC).

ACTION ITEM: Mike Blakely and George Ghusn are to follow up with the Nevada Organization of Building Officials regarding cost impacts of suggested changes in building codes.

Nominating Committee

Jon Price (on behalf of the Nominating Committee, which consists of John Anderson, Jim Goodfellow, and Jon Price) reported that two positions on the NESC remain vacant - one for an individual from the Insurance Industry and one for an individual from general Business and Industry. The Nevada Mining Association was unable to find a volunteer for the latter slot, in part because of the current low prices for metals. Ron Lynn suggested that State Farm Insurance be approached to suggest individuals for the Insurance Industry position on the Council. Jim Goodfellow mentioned that he had approached someone from one of the other large insurance companies. (Note from after the meeting: Jim Goodfellow reported that Greg Flanigan, with Farmers Insurance in Las Vegas, has agreed to serve. He is the earthquake-insurance underwriter for Farmers Insurance in Nevada.)

Wayne Carlson moved (and the motion was seconded) that the NESC approach the Southern Nevada and Northern Nevada Homebuilders Associations to nominate a representative for the Council. The motion passed unanimously. During the discussion of this motion the possibility was raised that an individual from the Southern Nevada Homebuilders Association could perhaps attend meetings in southern Nevada, and an individual from the Northern Nevada Homebuilders Association could attend meetings in northern Nevada. (According to the NESC bylaws, one of these individuals would be the official member of the Board of Directors, and that individual could give a proxy to the other.)

ACTION ITEM: The Nominating Committee will contact both the Southern Nevada and Northern Nevada Homebuilders Associations for suggestions of names for the Board of Directors.

During the discussion of this motion, the banking industry was raised as an alternative. Jim Werle reported that his firm is being asked by clients to conduct maximum loss assessments. Some discussion centered on whether the Insurance Industry slot on the board should be broadened to allow for someone from the broader financing and insurance industries.

ACTION ITEM: Chairman Lynn asked Burt Slemmons to chair an ad-hoc subcommittee (with Wayne Carlson and Larry Johnson) to look at the NESC bylaws to see if the membership of the NESC Board of Directors should be modified. The subcommittee should report to Ron within a month.

Response and Recovery Committee

Bob Cullins reported that the committee is on track with its goals and objectives. There were two ATC 20 courses to train building officials in Reno and Las Vegas last year. More will be presented later in the meeting regarding a search and rescue exercise that NESC members helped organize.

ACTION ITEM: Chairman Lynn asked Jim Goodfellow to get the Division of Emergency Management (DEM) to provide identification cards to individuals who have taken ATC 20 courses, which will assist in gaining access to disaster areas after an earthquake.

ACTION ITEM: Chairman Lynn also asked that DEM work on preparing (1) a supply of placards (red, yellow, and green) for placing on buildings after an earthquake and (2) a supply of rapid initial evaluation forms to use with the placards. These should be copied and be ready to use at disasters anywhere in the state.

ACTION ITEM: At the suggestion of Greg Moss, the chairman of the Emergency Services Committee of the Associated General Contractors of Northern Nevada will be asked to explain their program at the next NESC meeting.

Awareness and Education Committee

Craig dePolo reported that the Committee produced a 1999 Nevada earthquake calendar, which includes copies of posters from the 1998 contest.

Debbie Hinman reported that the Committee conducted a poster contest again this year. Copies of the winning poster were distributed to the attending members. The graphics department at Nevada Bell added the header to the winning poster. Nevada Bell printed 1,000 copies of the poster, and Sierra Pacific paid for the mailing. A full packet of information was sent to all the schools in Nevada. Model Dairy put Earthquake Awareness and Preparedness Week on its half-gallon milk cartons.

Comments on improving the calendar should be provided to Diane dePolo. Ron Lynn suggested using larger print, adding stickers for children to use with the calendar, and raising more funds to more widely distribute the calendar and posters.

Craig suggested that the theme for next year's Earthquake Awareness and Mitigation Week be non-structural mitigation. Some discussion ensued about finding a better or catchier name for "non-structural mitigation."

Jim Goodfellow, on behalf of DEM, praised the committee's activities.

Jon Price explained the process for WSSPC's Awards in Excellence.

ACTION ITEM: Chairman Lynn formed an ad hoc committee (himself as chair, Bob Cullins, and Jon Price) to make sure that the Committee's activities are brought to the attention of individuals who may wish to make a nomination to WSSPC.

Greg Moss mentioned the usefulness of the brochure, prepared by NBMG, the Seismological Laboratory, and DEM, on "Earthquakes in Nevada and How to Survive Them," and that printing additional copies of both the English and Spanish versions should be a priority item for the NESC. He uses hundreds of copies in presentations to schoolchildren.

Burt Slemmons suggested that the brochure be updated, and Glenn Biasi remarked that the Spanish version could stand additional editorial review by Spanish-speaking individuals. Wayne Carlson suggested that Emma Sepulveda, UNR Professor, be asked to help with the review. Craig dePolo agreed to update the brochure.

ACTION ITEM: Chairman Lynn asked that the Geoscience Committee provide Craig dePolo with suggestions for updating the brochure on "Earthquakes in Nevada and How to Survive Them."

Risk Mitigation Committee

No report was given on activities of this committee.

NESC Position on the All Hazard Mitigation Advisory Committee

Ron Lynn appointed Greg Moss to be the NESC representative to the new State All Hazard Mitigation Advisory Committee (AHMAC).

ACTION ITEM: Greg Moss should report regularly to the NESC in his capacity as the NESC representative to the State All Hazard Mitigation Advisory Committee.

Update from the Division of Emergency Management

Jim Goodfellow thanked Ron Lynn for participating in the AHMAC, including informing the AHMAC about the status of building codes throughout the state. Jim reported that AHMAC, at its January 1999 meeting, approved the NBMG project on hazard mapping around Laughlin and the Seismological Laboratory's proposals for a down-hole seismometer and strong-motion seismic instruments in the Reno area. AHMAC will be recommending best uses of mitigation funds. Jim also thanked the NESC for providing the model for AHMAC's operation.

Jim reported that DEM is preparing a State hazard mitigation plan. Both NESC and AHMAC will be asked to review this plan. Also, AHMAC has a draft application for mitigation grants.

In response to Marge Gunn's question, Jon Price explained how the NESC is funded through a grant from FEMA to DEM, which DEM passes to UNR. NBMG, a statewide program within UNR, provides matching funds.

Jim Goodfellow mentioned that DEM anticipates year-end State and FEMA funds, and that NESC should present FEMA with its priorities for funding as soon as practical. He requested that the NESC set priorities for its recommendations for year-end funding from FEMA. Completing these recommendations at the May meeting would be timely.

ACTION ITEM: Chairman Lynn requested that committee chairs come to the May meeting with proposals for funding projects, preferably written, for NESC endorsement. Proposals should include a brief statement of the project to be funded, who will do it, and the costs. Some FEMA funds require cost sharing at a 50:50 ratio; if cost sharing is part of the proposed work, please identify the source of the matching funds. The NESC will make a list of priorities for funding from FEMA's year-end funds that may be made available to DEM. Some small projects can be funded from the grant that FEMA gives to DEM to help run the NESC.

Seismo Watch On-line Service

Charlie Watson reported on Seismo Watch broadcasts of the Sierra Nevada Community Access Television (SNCAT) and related activities. Carson Access Television has added the broadcasts. Charlie established a 1-800 number in mid-November to allow viewers to request additional information. He received reports from 73 people who felt the November 1998 North Lake Tahoe earthquake. He mailed 54 packets of earthquake-preparedness information. SNCAT would like to see more timely updates and fairly quick updates, within a day of a significant earthquake. Such quicker response will involve about 4 to 10 earthquakes per year.

The Lahontan Valley News in Fallon has yet to engage in Seismo Watch, and is unlikely to do so.

The Council unanimously approved allowing Seismo Watch to transfer the $780 that had been approved for the rural newspaper from Lahontan Valley News to the Reno Gazette Journal to upgrade their Seismo Watch report.

Charlie reported that EERI is sponsoring two workshops (March 4 in San Francisco; March 5 in Los Angeles) regarding the recent magnitude 5.9 Colombian earthquake and the large amount of damage affecting poorly constructed buildings.

Seismo Watch would also like to go on line on the World Wide Web with its report, to add a "Teacher Feature" to answer questions, and to conduct a media campaign. Total cost would be about $20,000 to $30,000 per year. Greg Moss mentioned that the Associated General Contractors may be able to provide some matching funds. Ron Lynn encouraged Charlie Watson to prepare a proposal for the NESC to consider at its May meeting.

WSSPC Highlights for the Nevada Earthquake Safety Council

Jon Price reported that the Western States Seismic Policy Council (WSSPC) will be holding its annual meeting in Santa Fe, New Mexico, beginning with a field trip to nearby potentially active faults on Monday, September 6, 1999 (Labor Day). The main meeting will be held Tuesday through Thursday morning, September 9 (9/9/99). The tentative agenda for the meeting features sessions on probabilistic seismic hazard analysis and related loss estimation models, economic impacts, scientific and technical clearinghouses, and making emergency preparedness and mitigation successful; keynote addresses from key political figures; meetings of WSSPC committees; and presentations of awards for and discussions of the top earthquake projects and programs in the West.

WSSPC now has four topical committees: Basin and Range; Tsunami; Engineering, Building Codes, and Construction; and Economic Impacts. Individuals interested in these committees, regardless of employer, are welcome to participate in committee activities.

WSSPC is contacting FEMA to request that advance copies of the results of FEMA's national estimate of annual loss to buildings from earthquake damage, which will show where Nevada ranks relative to other states, be sent to the state geologists and state emergency management directors two weeks before formal release to the press, so that we can be better prepared

to respond to the likely questions.

Along with several other organizations, including FEMA, the Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup, and hopefully the USGS and the two other regional earthquake and emergency consortia (the Central United States Earthquake Consortium and the New England Emergency Consortium), WSSPC plans to host a National Earthquake Hazards Conference in Seattle, Washington, in September 2000. Exact dates are not yet available. The purpose of the 2000 conference is to bring together a broad cross section of individuals and organizations from throughout the country to focus on public and private policies targeted on mitigating society's risks from earthquake hazards. It would be appropriate for the Nevada Earthquake Safety Council to co-sponsor the National Earthquake Hazards Conference 2000. There would be no financial commitment for doing so, although the Council would advertise the conference to its membership, and members of the Council would likely try to attend the conference. Similarly, the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology intends to be a co-sponsor, and we will encourage the UNR Seismological Laboratory and Nevada Division of Emergency Management to do so as well.

Please contact the WSSPC office (415-974-6435 or wsspc@wsspc.org) for details on the annual meeting in Santa Fe, the National Earthquake Conference in 2000, or on how to get involved in WSSPC committee activities.

The NESC unanimously voted to become a co-sponsor of the National Earthquake Hazards Conference 2000.

Bob Cullins reported some significant difficulties with HAZUS, particularly with merging different geographic information system databases.

Search and Rescue Tape

Jim Reagan and Bob Cullins showed a News 3 television newscast tape from the Nevada Task Force search and rescue exercise held recently at the UNR campus in Stead. The Associated General Contractors were very helpful in setting up this exercise; they constructed a large pile of rubble, which can be used in future exercises as well. Jim Reagan mentioned how impressed everyone was with the diligence, caution, technical expertise, and professionalism of the Task Force. The Task Force is located in Las Vegas and is available to FEMA nationwide and worldwide. There are only about a dozen such teams in the U.S.. There is discussion of building a similar exercise pile at UNR's new facility near Carlin.

Seismological Laboratory Updates

Glenn Biasi discussed the recent earthquake swarm on the Nevada Test Site (NTS). There was a magnitude 4+ earthquake in Frenchman Flat on the southeastern part of NTS on January 27, 1999. Different approaches to estimating magnitude have the moment magnitude of the event at 4.5 to 4.7. Foreshocks included a 3+ earthquake on January 21, and a 4.4 earthquake on January 25.

The main shock was 50 km east of Yucca Mountain. It was either a dip-slip event or a strike-slip earthquake, and the depth is poorly constrained. The locations of the event and its foreshocks and aftershocks are poorly constrained also, because the earthquakes occurred on the edge of the seismic array that was constructed to study activity near Yucca Mountain. Some portable instruments were added to help locate aftershocks. The aftershocks were mostly 6 +/- 2 km deep.

Glenn stated that there is no obvious connection to the magnitude 5.6 earthquake at Little Skull Mountain in June 1992 or to small magnitude events over the years in the Rock Valley area.

The Seismological Laboratory has a short-period analog system of seismographs. This system does have the capability of automatically locating earthquakes (of magnitude 3 or so). The Laboratory is hoping to improve its automatic locating capabilities. The Laboratory does not have good instrumental coverage of Las Vegas Valley, although some new instruments are being added, thanks to a grant from the Keck Foundation. It will cost about $50,000 to acquire the software needed to better locate earthquakes automatically. The current network is aging (with analog instruments mostly from the 1970s).

Bob Cullins encouraged the Seismological Laboratory to upgrade its instruments in Las Vegas Valley. A magnitude 2.7 earthquake was located in Las Vegas Valley on December 14, 1998 with only three stations. Glenn Biasi stated that earthquakes with magnitude 3.5 or less might not be detected with the current automatic network. Funding for operation and maintenance of the southern Nevada analog network was discontinued in October 1995.

Burt Slemmons questioned whether there are opportunities for the utilities to help fund new seismic stations. Jim Reagan responded that there may be some interest, but that funding is not readily available. Bob Cullins and Ron Lynn emphasized that it may be necessary to get extra funding from the State for maintaining the instruments. Ron Lynn suggested that funding from industry may be able to help with purchasing instruments, but not with maintaining them.

ACTION ITEM: Chairman Lynn requested that the Seismological Laboratory prepare a proposal for the Council to consider, including a complete program for monitoring earthquakes in Las Vegas Valley.

Glenn Biasi noted that strong-motion instruments will not detect very small earthquakes (magnitude less than about 2). Weak-motion instruments, which ideally would be located on bedrock, are needed for these small earthquakes. For example, in the immediate vicinity of Yucca Mountain, where there are a number of instruments, earthquakes as small as magnitude negative 0.3 are routinely measured.

Burt Slemmons advised that much more information of immediate interest can be gained from weak-motion instruments in the Valley than could be gained from strong-motion information. The weak-motion instruments would help answer whether many of the Quaternary faults in the valley are seismogenic (as opposed to related to compaction and land subsidence).

Barbara Luke suggested that the existing equipment at UNLV be added to the network, or that these instruments otherwise be installed.

Glenn Biasi also explained the Seismological Laboratory's plans for placing a down-hole seismometer in a well near Virginia Lake in the Truckee Meadows. The State Engineer's office has approved use of the well for this purpose. A roving portable instrument will be used at the surface to calculate attenuation.

Rasool Anooshehpoor discussed plans for strong-motion instruments in the Reno and Carson City area. He explained how an earthquake with an epicenter off the coast of Mexico caused major damage 350 km away in Mexico City in 1985. He showed evidence for similar ground amplification in Las Vegas Valley (relative to solid rock sites) from the Little Skull Mountain earthquake about 90 km away. Strong-motion instruments help understand the ground amplification effects of the valleys. The Seismological Laboratory received funding from the Keck Foundation to purchase five strong-motion instruments, and it already has two instruments operating in the Truckee Meadows; in addition, the pending grant from FEMA will pay for three new strong-motion instruments to be installed in the Reno area. They will likely be placed in high schools, so that the machines can be connected to the Internet, rather than using telephone lines. Rasool stated that some of the Seismological Laboratory's new strong-motion instruments (probably three) can also be located in the Las Vegas Area, and that one will likely be placed in Carson City.

Larry Johnson suggested locating instruments in the southern part of the Truckee Meadows, where soil conditions are considerably different from much of the rest of the valley.

Craig dePolo reported that there was an earthquake at 12:15 p.m. today (19 February 1999) approximately 32 km from a seismic station in the Sheep Range; the event was felt and may have had its epicenter west of Las Vegas. It was less than a magnitude 3 earthquake. Some sonic booms, unrelated to any earthquakes, were felt later in the afternoon.

Strategic Planning Committee

Jim Reagan presented an Annual Report of the Council (attached to these minutes). He mentioned that a lifeline utilities exercise is being planned for October 1999. An Emergency Management Assistance Compact was signed by Governor Miller before he left office; Nevada is working to get other states to move forward with this interstate compact, which provides for sharing of resources after a major earthquake or other disaster.

The Council accepted the annual report and will forward it to FEMA.

Old Business

Ron Lynn noted that the Nevada Organization of Building Officials met last week. He repeated the need for cost analysis of proposed changes to the building code.

New Business

Bob Cullins reported on the designation of the City of Las Vegas as a Project Impact Community. The next Project Impact meeting is March 4 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Las Vegas Council Chambers. Bob has invited participation from any interested community. He noted that the AHMAC is encouraging exchange of information from Las Vegas and Sparks with other communities.

Craig dePolo suggested a presentation by the Department of Transportation of the seismic retrofit of the Spaghetti Bowl in Reno (I-80 & US-395) for the next meeting.

Ron Lynn asked all committee chairs to come to the next meeting with funding requests.

Ron Lynn suggested that Indian tribes be invited to participate in NESC activities.

ACTION ITEM: Chairman Lynn will specifically invite the Intertribal Council to participate.

Ron Lynn suggested that the DEM Disaster Response and Recovery Guide for Local Government be reviewed, including collection of damage assessment data. Carolyn Levering offered the help of the American Red Cross in working with the Council. Ron indicated that there are about 240 people (making for 120 teams of two individuals) trained with ATC courses.

ACTION ITEM: Chairman Lynn asked that the Response and Recovery Committee review the Disaster Response and Recovery Guide for Local Government.

Marge Gunn cautioned that perspectives of the rural counties need to be covered.

Barbara Luke mentioned that the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center has awarded UNLV a graduate research assistantship, which must go to a minority student.

REVIEW OF ACTION ITEMS:

ACTION ITEM: Jim Werle will send a digital copy of the fault guidelines to Terri Garside, who will see that they are posted on the Web.

ACTION ITEM: Chairman Lynn will prepare a certificate and letter of thanks to John Bell for his exemplary service as past chair of the Geoscience Committee.

ACTION ITEM: Mike Blakely and George Ghusn are to follow up with the Nevada Organization of Building Officials regarding cost impacts of suggested changes in building codes.

ACTION ITEM: The Nominating Committee will contact both the Southern Nevada and Northern Nevada Homebuilders Associations for suggestions of names for the Board of Directors.

ACTION ITEM: Chairman Lynn asked Burt Slemmons to chair an ad-hoc subcommittee (with Wayne Carlson and Larry Johnson) to look at the NESC bylaws to see if the membership of the NESC Board of Directors should be modified. The subcommittee should report to Ron within a month.

ACTION ITEM: Chairman Lynn asked Jim Goodfellow to get the Division of Emergency Management (DEM) to provide identification cards to individuals who have taken ATC 20 courses, which will assist in gaining access to disaster areas after an earthquake.

ACTION ITEM: Chairman Lynn also asked that DEM work on preparing (1) a supply of placards (red, yellow, and green) for placing on buildings after an earthquake and (2) a supply of rapid initial evaluation forms to use with the placards. These should be copied and be ready to use at disasters anywhere in the state.

ACTION ITEM: At the suggestion of Greg Moss, the chairman of the Emergency Services Committee of the Associated General Contractors of Northern Nevada

will be asked to explain their program at the next NESC meeting.

ACTION ITEM: Chairman Lynn formed an ad hoc committee (himself as chair, Bob Cullins, and Jon Price) to make sure that the Committee's activities are brought to the attention of individuals who may wish to make a nomination to WSSPC.

ACTION ITEM: Chairman Lynn asked that the Geoscience Committee provide Craig dePolo with suggestions for updating the brochure on "Earthquakes in Nevada and How to Survive Them."

ACTION ITEM: Greg Moss should report regularly to the NESC in his capacity as the NESC representative to the State All Hazard Mitigation Advisory Committee.

ACTION ITEM: Chairman Lynn requested that committee chairs come to the May meeting with proposals for funding projects, preferably written, for NESC endorsement. Proposals should include a brief statement of the project to be funded, who will do it, and the costs. Some FEMA funds require cost sharing at a 50:50 ratio; if cost sharing is part of the proposed work, please identify the source of the matching funds. The NESC will make a list of priorities for funding from FEMA's year-end funds that may be made available to DEM. Some small projects can be funded from the grant that FEMA gives to DEM to help run the NESC.

ACTION ITEM: Chairman Lynn requested that the Seismological Laboratory prepare a proposal for the Council to consider, including a complete program for monitoring earthquakes in Las Vegas Valley.

ACTION ITEM: Chairman Lynn will specifically invite the Intertribal Council to participate in the NESC.

ACTION ITEM: Chairman Lynn asked that the Response and Recovery Committee review the Disaster Response and Recovery Guide for Local Government.